Adventures in the Four Corners Region

The Four Corners region of the United States, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet is an amazing area of the country. This region is filled with parks, fascinating history and stunning geological features. RV enthusiasts can travel northwest from the beautiful Mesa Verde National Park into Utah and Arches National Park. Along this journey travelers will learn about the history and geology of the region.

Mesa Verde National Park is an excellent spot to spend time hiking and enjoying some amazing archeological sites. The mesa can be seen from a long way off when approaching the park, it looks like a broad cliff. Mesa Verde National Park celebrates the history of the Pueblo people in the southwestern United States. The park has over 4,000 archeological sites, which includes 600 cliff dwellings. Some of the best cliff dwellings including Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Long House require the purchase of tickets for guided tours. Visitors to the park will see how the people created homes in the cliffs, with cut out doors and windows, some of the dwellings are several stories high. The Mesa Top Loop Road is another great way to enjoy the park. The scenic drive takes travelers to overlooks offering views of the dwellings. Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of amazing hikes, some of which culminate in cliff dwelling overlooks.

After leaving Mesa Verde, RVers and road trippers can stop at the Anasazi Heritage Center, located in Dolores, Colorado. This destination offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the lives of the Pueblo people that lived in the region. The Heritage Center has information about hunting and farming techniques, as well as displays of pots and bowls. Visitors may also enjoy seeing the tiny carved bone game markers on display at the Center.

This road trip route takes visitors to the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. The National Monument is a relatively new designated piece of protected land. administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Canyons of the Ancients is full of ruins and petroglyphs. In addition, there are brick towers that were used for holding grain, walled-off overhangs up on the canyon wall, and painted pictures looted high on the cliff faces.

Continuing on the road trip, after exploring Canyon of the Ancients National Monument travelers can stop to enjoy Moab, Utah. This city is a great destination for recreation enthusiasts. In Moab, travelers can mountain bike on the Slickrock Trail. It is also a great spot to go white-water rafting on the Colorado River. Moab has great off-loading and rock climbing opportunities as well. The town has much to offer visitors as well, from fine dining to enjoying a relaxing spa day. Moab is located right next to the amazing Arches National Park.

The drive up to the park is steep and winding, taking travelers to one of Utah's most beautiful destinations. The park preserves many sandstone arches, created through millions of years of exposure to the elements. Visitors should plan to stay for a few days in order to best enjoy the multitude of recreational opportunities and see the full beauty of the park. Arches National Park has many paved roads and viewpoints, allowing visitors to explore the park via car. Travelers can get even closer to the amazing arches in the park, even hiking out and standing beneath the Delicate Arch. For an even better understanding of the park's features visitors can make reservations for one of the parks Ranger-led Programs. The Fiery Furnace Tours are especially popular, and the program offers travelers a more difficult hike for the adventurous.

Throughout the Four Corners region there are many destinations of amazing beauty and history. The road trip from Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado to Arches National Park in Utah offers a great way to explore the region. Travelers can see ancient cliff dwellings, arches of amazing natural beauty, amazing recreation in the parks and surrounding area and much more.